If there's anything that's fun and rewarding to do it's making something that needs a little spiffying-up into something beautiful.
Maybe it's a vase of flowers on a rainy day, a colorful tablecloth on a well-used table, neighbor's freshly mowed yards, newly painted houses and storefronts, babies sleeping with full tummies and a dry diaper, a cat that purrs and a dog that doesn't bark... all because someone cares.
I wonder if we are teaching our children about the beautiful things of life so vital to happiness? It's the little everyday things human beings can do and it doesn't take a cell phone or high tech machinery to "do beautiful."
The style of communication these days is evident when folks walk together with both of them on their cell phones talking to someone else. I wonder why they bothered bringing the other person along. Is the art of one-on-one conversation lost?
"Beautiful" is about protecting and teaching life's values such as showing respect for others, never stop reading, help those who need help, and encourage kids to "reach for the moon" because they're worth it and can.
In last week's Highline Times, Mt. Rainier student, Scott Ritchie, wrote a remarkable report about his life in the world of education that I did not know about when I started this column. Amazingly, some of his words fit perfectly with my thoughts for this column that I happened to be writing now.
Ritchie said, "At the beginning of my high-school career, I understood very little about how the world functions. Now I know enough about how society functions to find a niche in it."
We learn in many ways. It was in the year 2002 that Des Moines Pacific School's Jazz Band "nailed it" with their wealth of talent and training and I quote: "In recent National Jazz Band competition high school kids from the big city of Seattle earned coveted awards, a huge surge of pride from supporters making front-page news. In a less public spotlight two years ago 7th and 8th grade musical students from Des Moines Pacific Middle School brought home the prestigious "Espirit de Corp" band award in major out-of-state competition."
To fully appreciate the significance of this recognition is to know it represents the highest level of musical and social skills. The measure is on showmanship, attitude, and behavior in competition with over 100 ensembles.
One student added, "Use of dynamics is that we start softer and don't play loud to cover up mistakes."
So here we are in year 2011 where life experiences will also teach many lessons. For children gifted with the good life a future is full of possibilities. For children lost in hidden masses, known as "Society's Throw-aways," their days are about survival. The people who should protect and feed them are likely more devoted to substance abuse. Sadly, these kids don't know the difference, experts say.
When we hear such stories we think, "How sad it must be for those poor kids who live somewhere else." Guess what -- they live right here.
An inexperienced young girl, just a child, was raped recently in the Highline District, the victim of a violent crime. That same girl goes hungry daily, as does her sibling and without protection. They don't have the privilege of going to school, living in a house, coming home to a family dinner served on a nice old table with or without a colorful tablecloth, flowers, and loving care.
Society's hidden "Throw-aways" find themselves eventually led into crime for self-preservation and they become a crime threat to society trying to survive. Children need protection. Mental health needs laws updated and funding. Throw-away kids don't know life can be good. Where has the system failed?
We can't cover ugly behavior with a pretty tablecloth, or ease hunger pain with flowers and good wishes.
Beautiful does exist when charity starts at home.
Scripture reads, " Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
Ritchie said, "It (school) gives me insight to know what is best for me and a sense of responsibility."
I say, Hi-tech toys won't a scholar make. Safety and education will.
Today's Thought: The world would be happier if people had the same capacity to be silent that they have to speak. (Sydney Smith)
CLARIFICATION:
In a June 3 Times/News column entitled "Are we teaching our kids something beautiful," Earline Byers referred to a young girl being raped in the Highline District.
She was not referring to the Highline School District, but to a general geographic area.
